Pregame: Illinois vs Western Carolina, Tuesday, December 4th, 7:00pm CT

[Dan]

Game 9: Illinois (8-0) vs Western Carolina (3-5)

Tuesday, December 4th

The Assembly Hall

Time: 7:00pm CT

No TV

Live video (the $9.95/month plan): http://www.fightingillini.com/allaccess/

[Dan]

Western Carolina's results- http://www.catamountsports.com/sport...kbl-sched.html

[U of I 89-05-10]

Let's just please get a decent crowd. Going to UI basketball games is an absolute blast, and we'll probably be a top 20 team by game time. Come on, Illini Nation; I would be there if I could. We're ironing out our kinks slowly, and we'll just keep getting better, IMO:

Western Carolina 56
Illinois 81

[Shenanigans]

We have been spoiled with all of these games and its such a blessing to be rooting for an 8-0 team. Its going to be hard waiting until Tuesday for my basketball fix.

[Illini B-Ball Fan]

82-63 Illini.

[spin13]

Can the people in A section donate those tickets if they're not using them? Those empty seats stick out like a sore thumb on TV. How good does this team have to be to go watch?

[DanvIllini]

Does that mean you werent at the game?

[mattcoldagelli]

Fact: Western Carolina is not a state

[trevdv]

- 82
Western Carolina - 63

[AK Illini]

Illinois needs this time off and has a lot to work on.

Groce has his work cut out for him trying to figure out our front court problems, the zone acted as a nice band aid last night but it's far from an ideal situation. The previous staff caught a lot of flak for failing to develop bigs...it's time for Egwu to start making some strides.

For all the talk of how much this team is different, our inability to get to the stripe hasn't changed a bit...not to mention the looks we are getting are almost exclusively coming in garbage time at the end of games. If our post D is going to remain weak, we're going to have to gind a way to start drawing fouls on opposing bigs to slow them down.

[MastFan1]

Originally Posted by AK Illini

For all the talk of how much this team is different, our inability to get to the stripe hasn't changed a bit...not to mention the looks we are getting are almost exclusively coming in garbage time at the end of games. If our post D is going to remain weak, we're going to have to gind a way to start drawing fouls on opposing bigs to slow them down.

In Maui the team shot 56 free throws, or almost 19 per game, in games where there were no garbage time. I'm not sure you're being completely honest.

[AK Illini]

Originally Posted by MastFan1

In Maui the team shot 56 free throws, or almost 19 per game, in games where there were no garbage time. I'm not sure you're being completely honest.

There was a tons of garbage time...

[MastFan1]

Originally Posted by AK Illini

There was a tons of garbage time...

Not the type of garbage time that is conducive to free throw shooting.

When I say garbage time referring to free throws, I mean the period of intentional fouling at the end of the game which definitely inflates free throw stats due to the game being somewhat close.

There was none of that in Maui.

[RadIllini]

A well rested Illini get their game on track and win handily 96-62

[IlliniSteve]

Should crack the top 20 by Tuesday, must take care of business and then look forward to our showdown with Gonzaga.

Don't need another Gardner-Webb type game here, blow them out. I'll go:

- 79
Not North Carolina - 59

[Dan]

After 8 games & 9,000 miles in 20 days, Illinois (8-0) has 6 days before next contest, followed by 6 games in December.

Team has the day off today, followed by practice Fri & Sat. Groce used the term "training camp" for next two practices.

[LubbockIlliniFan]

Originally Posted by Dan

After 8 games & 9,000 miles in 20 days, Illinois (8-0) has 6 days before next contest, followed by 6 games in December.

Team has the day off today, followed by practice Fri & Sat. Groce used the term "training camp" for next two practices.

we are so lucky to be 8-0 after this tough time period...

[FeelYourPaign]

Originally Posted by spin13

Can the people in A section donate those tickets if they're not using them? Those empty seats stick out like a sore thumb on TV. How good does this team have to be to go watch?

Where in A are the seats empty?
I ask because I didn't see the TV last night, rather I was there, so I don't have the TV visual.

If the empties are across from the team benches and low down, those seats are empty because you cannot see over the Krush. Not a complaint, love Krush, want more space for them, but you can't see over them and so those seats won't sell in this arena configuration. Wait 2 years for the redo, all I can say.

If the empties are behind the bench, I didn't notice much of a problem with that, but perhaps it looks different on TV. Which would reek.

[U of I 89-05-10]

Originally Posted by FeelYourPaign

Where in A are the seats empty?
I ask because I didn't see the TV last night, rather I was there, so I don't have the TV visual.

If the empties are across from the team benches and low down, those seats are empty because you cannot see over the Krush. Not a complaint, love Krush, want more space for them, but you can't see over them and so those seats won't sell in this arena configuration. Wait 2 years for the redo, all I can say.

If the empties are behind the bench, I didn't notice much of a problem with that, but perhaps it looks different on TV. Which would reek.

Well, if that's true, then they need to cover those seats with something. Watch the highlights linked on the homepage; you can see for yourself how bad it looks.

[Illiniwek06]

Originally Posted by FeelYourPaign

Where in A are the seats empty?
I ask because I didn't see the TV last night, rather I was there, so I don't have the TV visual.

If the empties are across from the team benches and low down, those seats are empty because you cannot see over the Krush. Not a complaint, love Krush, want more space for them, but you can't see over them and so those seats won't sell in this arena configuration. Wait 2 years for the redo, all I can say.

If the empties are behind the bench, I didn't notice much of a problem with that, but perhaps it looks different on TV. Which would reek.

It's not only the empties across from benches (I actually didn't notice this). It's more the random seats that are empty behind the commentators/team benches. I'm sure that there are logistical issues, but is there a way for the camera to show the game from the other angle (behind benches)?

[Serious Late]

Originally Posted by FeelYourPaign

Where in A are the seats empty?
I ask because I didn't see the TV last night, rather I was there, so I don't have the TV visual.

If the empties are across from the team benches and low down, those seats are empty because you cannot see over the Krush. Not a complaint, love Krush, want more space for them, but you can't see over them and so those seats won't sell in this arena configuration. Wait 2 years for the redo, all I can say.

If the empties are behind the bench, I didn't notice much of a problem with that, but perhaps it looks different on TV. Which would reek.

The seating configuration is the same this year as any other. There have been plenty of years when those seats were just as full as all the others. Krush is not an excuse for the current situation with A-section.

[Botb9]

Sagarin's PREDICTOR ratings imply a 20-point victory over W. Carolina. I'll go a bit further and say the additional practice time will come in handy.
Illinois 89
W. Carolina 62

[FeelYourPaign]

Originally Posted by Illiniwek06

It's not only the empties across from benches (I actually didn't notice this). It's more the random seats that are empty behind the commentators/team benches. I'm sure that there are logistical issues, but is there a way for the camera to show the game from the other angle (behind benches)?

I went back and watched the game highlights, looking more at the seats than the game action, and you are completely right. The number of grey seats RIGHT BEHIND the two benches is sick.

It looked to me like everyone in A was old (I'm 56 and I call them old, so take your guidance from that) and local. I think they are in a routine. They go to illinois basketball regularly, but when they want to. They leave the house at the same time, they go to the same restaurant, and they have 20 nights a year out at the big AH. But they aren't passionate. It is just a good thing to do. If they can't make one, meh, there's another next week. What's the big deal?

Very sad.
Hope the redo and a some intestinal fortitude allows the Ath Dept. to reconfigure the seating a lot and get rid of this problem.

[TCTORNADO]

Originally Posted by FeelYourPaign

I went back and watched the game highlights, looking more at the seats than the game action, and you are completely right. The number of grey seats RIGHT BEHIND the two benches is sick.

It looked to me like everyone in A was old (I'm 56 and I call them old, so take your guidance from that) and local. I think they are in a routine. They go to illinois basketball regularly, but when they want to. They leave the house at the same time, they go to the same restaurant, and they have 20 nights a year out at the big AH. But they aren't passionate. It is just a good thing to do. If they can't make one, meh, there's another next week. What's the big deal?

Very sad.
Hope the redo and a some intestinal fortitude allows the Ath Dept. to reconfigure the seating a lot and get rid of this problem.

You forgot they donate $10,000++ each a year to DIA!!
Overall announced attendance was only 12,200 and that included no shows. College BB attendance has been on the decline recently. Economy, general apathy, alternative viewing options, poor product, you name it and it means reduced fan interest.
We're coming off of one of the worst 5 year stretches in UI history. It's going to take time to get this brand back to where it was in the 2000-2006 stretch. Momentum is there, now we just need to show some consistency and the AH will be rockin again.

[FeelYourPaign]

Originally Posted by TCTORNADO

You forgot they donate $10,000++ each a year to DIA!!
Overall announced attendance was only 12,200 and that included no shows. College BB attendance has been on the decline recently. Economy, general apathy, alternative viewing options, poor product, you name it and it means reduced fan interest.
We're coming off of one of the worst 5 year stretches in UI history. It's going to take time to get this brand back to where it was in the 2000-2006 stretch. Momentum is there, now we just need to show some consistency and the AH will be rockin again.

Yes, I get that and it is pretty reasonable. I'm not mad at the A Section fans, but I wish they were there (#1), loud and proud (#2), not watching like they were in their den. It was pretty quiet down low. It is their money and their privilege, no gripe with that. But if the university changed the deal and gave those booster a "ring of honor" around the top of A or something and let the students have the floor, their comfy seat would be to a better game.